Does a foreigner need a visa to come to France?

Verified 19 January 2022 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

It all depends on your nationality and the length of your stay.

You can check if you need a visa using the Visa Assistant service:

Check if you need a visa - Visa Assistant

You must complete all of the following conditions when crossing the border:

  • Have a passport (or other travel document) issued for less than 10 years and valid for at least 3 months longer than your planned departure date
  • If your nationality requires it, have a valid visa issued by a country Schengen
  • Justify the purpose and conditions of your stay (private or business trip, acceptance certificate or proof of accommodation, repatriation, etc.)
  • Have insurance covering medical and hospital expenses, including social assistance, for the care you could receive in France (the minimum coverage requested is €30,000)
  • Not to be reported for the purposes of non-admission in the Schengen Information System
  • Do not pose a threat to the public order, internal security, public health or international relations of any of the countries Schengen
  • Have sufficient resources (cash, bank cards, etc.) or be able to acquire them legally (professional activity, etc.)

The level of resources required per day of stay in France varies depending on the proof of accommodation:

  • If you have a certificate of welcome: €32.50
  • If you have proof of booking a hotel room: €65
  • If you do not have proof of booking a hotel room: €120

If you must have a visa, you must submit your visa application (no more than 3 months before departure planned) with the French consular authorities of the country where you live:

Apply for a visa

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